Satellite Thermal Engineer II - TeraWave

About This Role

This role supports all aspects of thermal/fluids design for TeraWave satellite systems, focusing on designing and implementing thermal control systems and performing detailed thermal analysis for LEO and MEO satellite configurations to ensure optimal performance of high-speed communications systems.

Responsibilities

• Support all aspects of thermal/fluids design for TeraWave satellite systems
• Design and implement thermal control systems for TeraWave satellite constellation, including radiators, multi-layer insulation, heat pipes, and other passive/active thermal control components
• Develop detailed thermal models using industry-standard tools like Thermal Desktop to predict spacecraft thermal behavior in the space environment
• Perform thermal analysis for LEO and MEO satellite configurations to ensure optimal performance of TeraWave's high-speed communications systems
• Integrate third-party thermal models into Blue Origin satellite models
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish thermal requirements and ensure thermal compatibility with other subsystems
• Develop thermal loads from first principles, literature, and experiment
• Support configuration development, detailed design, and verification activities
• Analyze thermal test data and correlate with thermal models to validate design performance
• Support thermal vacuum testing campaigns for TeraWave satellite hardware
• Develop thermal control procedures for spacecraft operations in various mission phases
• Troubleshoot thermal issues during integration and test phases
• Document and maintain analysis inputs, models, and results according to Blue Origin standards

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 2+ years of experience in spacecraft thermal engineering or related thermal control systems
• Proficiency with thermal modeling software (e.g., Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT)
• Experience with thermal analysis of spacecraft systems and components
• Knowledge of heat transfer principles and thermal control techniques for space applications
• Familiarity with spacecraft thermal testing methodologies, including thermal vacuum testing
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and documentation abilities
• U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 2+ years of experience in spacecraft thermal engineering or related thermal control systems

Nice to Have

• Extensive experience with logic-heavy Thermal Desktop models
• Experience with thermal design for satellite constellations or communications satellites
• Knowledge of optical communications systems and their thermal requirements
• Experience with thermal-structural coupled analysis
• Knowledge of advanced thermal control technologies (e.g., loop heat pipes, cryocoolers)
• Familiarity with knowledge capture systems, integrated engineering tools and rapid development processes
• Knowledge in the use of 3D CAD tools
• Understanding of spacecraft thermal control systems and technologies
• Knowledge of space environment effects on thermal performance

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits